This Interaction Annoys Me Documenting a problem with an interaction

Example Specify Hardware and Software Hardware and OS Hardware: HP TC1100 OS: Microsoft XP, Tablet PC Edition 2005, Version 2002, Service Pack 2 Software: Outlook Express 6, Version (xpsp_sp2_rtm )

Example Task I want to make a permanent copy of the image (of a goose) currently displayed.

1. I decided to save the image.

2. I right clicked on the image.

3. I clicked on the “save” button.

4. I clicked on the “no” button in warning window.

5. I moved mouse to the “file name” field.

6. I changed the file name.

7. I clicked on the “save” button.

8. I receive feedback that the task is complete.

Example Annoyance Description I was annoyed in step 4 that I was allowed to try to save the image with a file name that already exists. I was annoyed in step 6 that I had to guess a file name that had not already been used.

Example Why I was annoyed I was annoyed by step 4 because the system set me up to fail. The system could have determined that the file name was already used and given me different options that one that would fail. I was annoyed by step 4 because the system set me up to fail. The system could have determined that the file name was already used and given me different options that one that would fail. I was annoyed by step 6 because I was not provided enough information to choose a file name that was not already used. I was annoyed by step 6 because I was not provided enough information to choose a file name that was not already used.

How to fix the annoyance Instead of presenting a simple save dialog in step 3, the system could present a dialog with the following choices: Instead of presenting a simple save dialog in step 3, the system could present a dialog with the following choices: Overwrite file with name “goose_resized_2001_1024” Overwrite file with name “goose_resized_2001_1024” Save with new name, suggested name “goose_resized_2001_1024_1” Save with new name, suggested name “goose_resized_2001_1024_1” Change directory Change directory Cancel Cancel

This Interaction Annoys Me Pick an interaction you find annoying. Pick an interaction you find annoying. Document the steps. Document the steps. Describe the annoyance and how it can be fixed. Describe the annoyance and how it can be fixed.

Interaction Specific system Specific system Hardware Hardware Software (full stack) Software (full stack) Specific task Specific task What is trying to be accomplished What is trying to be accomplished Not how it is accomplished Not how it is accomplished Specific method Specific method Steps used to (attempt to) perform the task Steps used to (attempt to) perform the task

Task A task is: A task is: What the user is trying to accomplish What the user is trying to accomplish The objective of the interaction from the users perspective The objective of the interaction from the users perspective A task is not: A task is not: The actions taken by the user The actions taken by the user The behavior of the computer The behavior of the computer

Task Questions Questions to determine if it is a task description Questions to determine if it is a task description Is the description about the user’s objective(s)? Is the description about the user’s objective(s)? Is the user the subject of the sentence? Is the user the subject of the sentence? Is the verb some form of wanting? Is the verb some form of wanting? Does the description contain terms about the interface or internals of the application? Does the description contain terms about the interface or internals of the application? Terms from the users mental model of the task Terms from the users mental model of the task Buttons, sliders, and other widgets are not part of the task. Buttons, sliders, and other widgets are not part of the task. Databases, engines, and IO devices are not part of the interface. Databases, engines, and IO devices are not part of the interface. If the task domain is a computerized system, these rules do not work. If the task domain is a computerized system, these rules do not work.

Documenting the Steps What atomic actions does the user perform? What atomic actions does the user perform? Includes what the user is trying to do by the action Includes what the user is trying to do by the action What responses does the system make? What responses does the system make?

Atomic Actions Physical Physical Mouse click Mouse click Mouse movement Mouse movement Key stroke Key stroke Cognitive (Mental) Cognitive (Mental) What the user (not the designer/programmer) considers a single action What the user (not the designer/programmer) considers a single action Enter a text string into a field Enter a text string into a field Press a button Press a button